Just curious, who’s ready for the smell of fresh cut grass, the popping of the mitt, and the crack of the bat? If you answered, “me”, we’re in the same boat.
With the girl’s high school season winding down to its final weeks before sectional, and the boys season hitting the midway point, it’s never too early to turn our attention to America’s pastime.
24-days! Yes, just 24-days, February 12, before the New York Mets pitchers and catchers report in Port St. Lucie, FL. The position players report as early as February 18.
The defending World Series champion, Houston Astros, pitchers and catchers report on February 13, and position players on February 19.
If high school softball or baseball is more your forte, you’re in luck. The ladies have just 45-days until their first official practice, March 5, and the boys 52-days, or March 12. However, if you’re a regular around athletic venues lately, you’ll hear the crack of the bat and the pop of the glove as the players are getting ready for Spring.
The IHSAA girls sectional draw is this Sunday. The event will be telecast on ihsaatv.org starting at 1:00 and lasting around 2-hours.
All three girl’s teams will be involved in Class 3A, Sectional 25 taking place at Crawfordsville High School. Benton Central, who’s receiving votes, will come in with the best record at 17-4. Greencastle, who has wins over all three county schools is 12-7. They’re the only two schools with winning records.
North Montgomery (7-11), Lebanon (6-12), Southmont (6-11), and Crawfordsville (2-17) will round out the sectional. The Lady Tigers and Lady Chargers will square off tonight at Lebanon and Lebanon will travel to Southmont next Friday to complete both teams regular season.
The Crawfordsville sectional winner will advance to the Danville Regional along with the sectional winners from Brebeuf Jesuit, Indianapolis Emmerich Manual, and Owen Valley.
Benton Central and Greencastle appear to be favorites, but you never know how the draw will play out, or who will be playing their best basketball at the time.
Tomorrow’s the much-awaited county and Sagamore Conference matchup that quite a few folks in Montgomery County are looking for, Crawfordsville makes the short trip South to take on the Mounties at Bob J. Tandy Gymnasium.
The Mounties claimed their second ever Sugar Creek Classic title over the Athenians with a 61-56 come from behind victory back on January 6. If last year’s regular season matchup a 53-51 double overtime victory for the Athenians is any indication of tomorrow’s regular season matchup, we’re in for a barnburner.
Southmont will no doubt come in with the confidence knowing that they went into the Athenians home court, came from behind and beat Crawfordsville. They did all of their damage in the last 10 minutes of the game, and no doubt, head coach Jake Turner will look for his guys to get off to a much better start.
Crawfordsville, on the other hand, will look to get some vindication by picking up a Conference win in New Market. Head Coach David Pierce felt his guys let one slip through their fingers and didn’t have the best confidence down the stretch two-weeks ago.
If you’re looking for something to do Saturday night, head out to South. The girls and boy’s JV’s will tip off around 5, with the Girls Varsity at 6:30 and the boys game at approximately 8.
Scott Smith is a Sports Writer for The Paper and has enjoyed covering Montgomery County sports for about three years. What started out as simply attending his son’s baseball games turned into a passion for writing about all different games and players. Scott’s “From the Cheap Seats” can be found in The Paper every Friday.